Yale Student-Athletes Participate In Big Brothers Big Sisters

Feb 02, 2009

Feb. 2, 2009

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Twenty Yale student-athletes met in Morse College on Saturday afternoon to begin a semester-long partnership with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Connecticut. Each member of the group, led by Yale baseball players Andy Megee and Gant Elmore, will spend time with a Little Brother or Little Sister throughout the spring semester, providing a positive role model for local youths through consistent contact, highlighted by bimonthly outings.

Megee and Elmore, both sophomores, inherited leadership in the program from senior Stefan Schropp, the captain of the Bulldogs' baseball team.

"Stefan deserves a lot of credit," said Megee. "He started this program at Yale from the ground floor."

Megee and Elmore recruited Big Brothers and Big Sisters by contacting the team captains of every varsity sport at Yale.

"Of course, the program is open to non-athletes as well," Elmore added, "but contacting the team captains was a good way to reach a large number of people."

The AKA Sorority on campus also participates in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

"Yale students, especially student-athletes, are excellent role models for kids in our program," said Josette Capozzi-Cuda, MSW, the Big Brothers Big Sisters campus coordinator for Yale and Quinnipiac Universities. "Their accomplishments both academically and athletically set a great example for our kids to strive for."

"Student-athletes have a responsibility to represent Yale in the community," said Megee. "Big Brothers Big Sisters is a great cause that I am happy to be a part of."